She’s safe in our hands! Young construction boss, 32, at centre of Notre Dame fire probe boasted about his firm’s ability to protect historic sites as his company won £5million contract to repair cathedral’s spire
The moment Notre Dames spire began
A young construction boss boasted about his firm’s ability to protect historic sites when the company won a contract to repair the spire of Notre Dame, MailOnline can reveal.
Julien Le Bras, 32, declared last year: ‘Our first thought is to protect the values of historical buildings, it’s in our DNA.’
His firm, Le Bras Freres, a small company known as the ‘Cathedral Restorers’, had won the £5million (€5.8m, $6.5m) contract to renovate the spire of the Paris landmark. ADVERTISING
Today craftsmen from the company were being questioned by investigators after the spire came crashing down in Monday’s blaze, which caused such extensive damage that experts believe it could take decades to repair.
Investigators believe the devastating blaze started in the roof cavity below the spire where the work, which included the use of electric tools, was being carried out.
The blaze was discovered at around 6.50pm but workers would reportedly have downed tools between 5pm and 5.30pm.
According to investigators, an alarm went off at 6.20pm, interrupting a Mass, but no fire was found. The alarm then sounded again at 6.43pm, by which time the flames were burning out of control.
The first daylight pictures inside the wreckage today showed the roof destroyed, the 850-year-old church exposed to the elements and the floor covered in charred debris.
However the three ‘irreplaceable’ Rose Windows, which date to the 13th century and were last night feared to have melted or exploded, are all still intact.
Other treasures, including a crown of thorns reputed to have been worn by Jesus at his crucifixion, were also rescued from the fire, which officials believe was started by accident. Video playing bottom right…Click here to expand to full page
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The wreckage of Notre Dame is seen today with charred debris scattered across the floorafter falling 100ft from the roof
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Unscathed: Two of the cathedral’s most treasured statues appear to have survived. The 14th century Virgin of Paris, right, and the 17th century Descent from the Cross, left
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Devastation: A view from the upper balcony inside Notre Dame shows debris strewn across the floor after falling from the ceiling
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In addition to the statues, ‘irreplaceable’ Rose Windows, which date to the 13th century and were last night feared to have melted or exploded, are all still believed to be intact.
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Left: A before and after shot of the main altar. Right: A wider shot of the Church’s nave showing the destruction caused by the fire
